APPENDIX O. GLOSSARY OF VARIABLES AND THEIR VALUES

FROM EIA'S RECS 2001

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0.1 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION SURVEY (RECS) 2001

VARIABLES USED IN LCC ANALYSIS ................................. 0-1

0.2 RECS 2001 DATABASE .............................................. 0-2

LIST OF TABLES

Table 0.1.1 RECS 2001 Variables Used in Life-Cycle Cost Analysis ................ 0-1

Table 0.2.1 Definitions of RECS 2001 Variables Used in Life-Cycle Cost Analysis .... 0-2

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

APPENDIX O. GLOSSARY OF VARIABLES AND THEIR VALVES 

FROM EIA'S RECS 2001 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

0.1 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION SURVEY (RECS) 2001 

VARIABLES USED IN LCC ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0-1 

0.2 RECS 2001 DATABASE .............................................. 0-2 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table 0.1.1 RECS 2001 Variables Used in Life-Cycle Cost Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0-1 

Table 0.2.1 Definitions ofRECS 2001 Variables Used in Life-Cycle Cost Analysis .... 0-2 

O-i 
APPENDIX 0. GLOSSARY OF VARIABLES AND THEIR VALUES

FROM THE ENERGY INFORMATION AGENCY'S RECS 2001

0.1 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION SURVEY (RECS) 2001 VARIABLES

USED IN LCC ANALYSIS

Using Microsoft ACCESS, the Department created a database containing a subset of the

records and variables from DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA)'s RECS 2001.' The

Department used this RECS subset in the life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis of the Residential Furnace

and Boiler Rulemaking. This appendix explains the variable name abbreviations and provides

definitions of the variable values. For the entire RECS 2001 dataset, refer to

http://www. eia. doe. gov/emeu/recs/recs2001 /publicuse2001.html.

The Department divided the RECS sample by product classes, using different classification

algorithms based on fuel type, home type, (the presence of) central air conditioning, etc. (Table

0.1.1). The variables can be categorized into six classifications: location, house characteristics,

equipments characteristics, householder characteristics, energy use, and average energy price.

Table 0.1.1 RECS 2001 Variables Used in Life-Cycle Cost Analysis

Location House

Characteristics

Equipment

Characteristics

Householder

Characteristics

Energy Use Average

Energy Price

Census Housing Type Heating Number of 65+ Annual Heating Annual Total

Region Equipment Type in Household Natural Gas Use Energy Use by

Fuel Type

Census Year Made Do not use Low Income Annual Heating Annual Total

Division Heating LPG Use Energy

Equipment Expenditures by

Fuel Type

Large State Total Square Heating Number of Annual Heating

(NY, CA, Footage Equipment Age People in Fuel Oil Use

TX, FL) Household

Heating Total Heated Heating Annual Cooling

Degree Day Square Footage Equipment Used Electricity Use

65 to Heat other

Apartments

Cooling Weighting Heating Fuel

Degree

Day65

Central Air

Presence

Central Air Age

0-1

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

APPENDIX O. GLOSSARY OF VARIABLES AND THEIR VALUES 

FROM THE ENERGY INFORMATION AGENCY'S RECS 2001 

0.1 RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION SURVEY (RECS) 2001 VARIABLES 

USED IN LCC ANALYSIS 

Using Microsoft ACCESS, the Department created a database containing a subset of the 

records and variables from DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA)'s RECS 2001.1 The 

Department used this RECS subset in the life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis ofthe Residential Furnace 

and Boiler Rulemaking. This appendix explains the variable name abbreviations and provides 

definitions of the variable values. For the entire RECS 2001 dataset, refer to 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/recs2001/publicuse2001.htm!. 

The Department divided the RECS sample by product classes, using different classification 

algorithms based on fuel type, home type, (the presence of) central air conditioning, etc. (Table 

0.1.1). The variables can be categorized into six classifications: location, house characteristics, 

equipments characteristics, householder characteristics, energy use, and average energy price. 

T a e bi 011 .. RECS 2001 V . ana bi es U se d· III L·~ I e-C ;yc I e C os t A I . nalYSIS 

Location House Equipment Householder Energy Use Average 

Characteristics Characteristics Characteristics Energy Price 

Census Housing Type Heating Number of 65+ Annual Heating Annual Total 

Region Equipment Type in Household Natural Gas Use Energy Use by 

Fuel Type 

Census Year Made Do not use Low Income Annual Heating Annual Total 

Division Heating LPG Use Energy 

Equipment Expenditures by 

Fuel Type 

Large State Total Square Heating Number of Annual Heating 

(NY, CA, Footage Equipment Age People in Fuel Oil Use 

TX,FL) Household 

Heating Total Heated Heating Annual Cooling 

Degree Day Square Footage Equipment Used Electricity Use 

65 to Heat other 

Apartments 

Cooling Weighting Heating Fuel 

Degree 

Day65 

Central Air 

Presence 

Central Air Age 

0-1 
0.2 RECS 2001 DATABASE

The glossary below lists the variable names alphabetically. A brief explanation of the

variable name as it appears in the database file follows the name. Table 0.2.1 provides the

definitions of the variable's values.

Table 0.2.1 Definitions of RECS 2001 Variables Used in Life-Cycle Cost Analysis

Variable Definition

LocatIo€l ^^ ^ ^'BablC5

REGIONC Census region

1 = Northeast

2 = Midwest

3 = South

4 = West

DIVISION Census division

1 = New England

2 = Middle Atlantic

3 = East North Central

4 = West North Central

5 = South Atlantic

6 = East South Central

7 = West South Central

8 = Mountain

9 = Pacific

LRGSTATE Large state designation

1 = New York

2 = California

3 = Texas

4 = Florida

LRG+DIV* Combined large state (LRGSTATE) and census division (DIVISION)

1 = New England

2 = Middle Atlantic (not including New York)

3 = East North Central

4 = West North Central

5 = South Atlantic (not including Florida)

6 = East South Central

7 = West South Central (not including Texas)

8 = Mountain

9 = Pacific (not including California)

10 = New York

11 = California

13 = Texas

14 = Florida

0-2

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

0.2 RECS 2001 DATABASE 

The glossary below lists the variable names alphabetically. A brief explanation of the 

variable name as it appears in the database file follows the name. Table 0.2.1 provides the 

definitions of the variable's values. 

REGIONC 

DIVISION 

LRGSTATE 

LRG+DIV* 

Census region 

1 = Northeast 

2 = Midwest 

3 = South 

4 = West 

Census division 

1 = New England 

2 = Middle Atlantic 

3 = East North Central 

4 = West North Central 

5 = South Atlantic 

6 = East South Central 

7 = West South Central 

8 = Mountain 

9 = Pacific 

Large state designation 

1 = New York 

2 = California 

3 = Texas 

4 = Florida 

Combined large state (LRGSTATE) and census division (DIVISION) 

1 = New England 

2 = Middle Atlantic (not including New York) 

3 = East North Central 

4 = West North Central 

5 = South Atlantic (not including Florida) 

6 = East South Central 

7 = West South Central (not including Texas) 

8 = Mountain 

9 = Pacific (not including California) 

10 = New York 

11 = California 

13 = Texas 

14 = Florida 

0-2 
CDD65 Cooling Degree-Days to base 65, 1-04 TO 12-04

Cooling degree days are the number of degrees the average daily

temperature (ADT) is above the base temperature.

HDD65 Heating Degree-Days to base 65, 1-04 TO 12-04

Heating degree days are the number of degrees the ADT is below the

base temperature.

Household Characteristics Variables

DOEID DOE 4-digit identification number

TYPEHUQ Respondents reported type of home

1 = Mobile Home

2 = Single-Family Detached

3 = Single-Family Attached

4 = Apartment in Building containing 2-4 units

5 = Apartment in Building containing 5 or more units

YEARMADE Year home built

1 = Before 1940

2 = 1940-49

3 = 1950-59

4 = 1960-69

5 = 1970-79

6 = 1980

7 = 1981-1989

8 = 1990

9 = 1991-1995

10 =1996-1998

11 = 1999

12 = 2000

13 = 2001

96 = Don't Know

TOTSQFT Total square footage

TOTHSQFT Total heated square footage

NWEIGHT Final weight

Equipment Characteristics Variables

DNTHEAT Have any heating equipment, Use it or not

1 = Have equipment, but don't use it

2 = Don't have any heating equipment

9 = No Answer/Not Applicable

0-3

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

CDD65 Cooling Degree-Days to base 65, 1-04 TO 12-04 

Cooling degree days are the number of degrees the average daily 

temperature (ADT) is above the base temperature. 

HDD65 Heating Degree-Days to base 65, 1-04 TO 12-04 

Heating degree days are the number of degrees the ADT is below the 

base temperature. 

Household Characteristics Variables 

DOEID DOE 4-digit identification number 

TYPEHUQ Respondents reported type of home 

1 = Mobile Home 

2 = Single-Family Detached 

3 = Single-Family Attached 

4 = Apartment in Building containing 2-4 units 

5 = Apartment in Building containing 5 or more units 

YEARMADE Year home built 

1 = Before 1940 

2 = 1940-49 

3 = 1950-59 

4 = 1960-69 

5 = 1970-79 

6 = 1980 

7 = 1981-1989 

8 = 1990 

9 = 1991-1995 

10 = 1996-1998 

11 = 1999 

12 = 2000 

13 = 2001 

96 = Don't Know 

TOTSQFT Total square footage 

TOTHSQFT Total heated square footage 

NWEIGHT Final weight 

Equipment Characteristics Variables 

DNTHEAT Have any heating equipment, Use it or not 

1 = Have equipment, but don't use it 

2 = Don't have any heating equipment 

9 = No AnswerlNot Applicable 

0-3 
EQUIPM Type of heating equipment that provides the heat

2 = Steam/hot water system with radiators

3 = Central warm-air furnace with ducts

4 = Heat pump

5 = Built-in electric units installed in walls

6 = Built-in floor/wall pipeless furnace

7 = Built-in heater burning gas, oil, kerosene

8 = Heating stove burning wood, coal, coke

9 = Fireplace

10 = Portable electric heaters

11 = Portable kerosene heaters

12 = Cooking stove used to heat and cook

14 = Geothermal heat pump

21 = Equipment not listed

99 = No Answer/Not Applicable

EQUIPAGE How old is equipment identified in EQUIPM heat system?

1 = Less than 2 years old

2 = 2 to 4 years old

3 = 5 to 9 years old

4 = 10 to 19 years old

5 = 20 years or older

96 = Don't know

99 = No Answer/Not Applicable

FUELHEAT Main fuel used for heating home

1 = Natural gas from underground pipes

2 = Bottled gas (LPG or propane)

3 = Fuel oil

4 = Kerosene

5 = Electricity

7 = Wood

8 = Solar

9 = District steam

10 = Coal

99 = No Answer/Not Applicable

HEATOTH Main heating system also heat other apartments

1 = Yes

0 = No

6 = Don't know

9 = No Answer/Not Applicable

COOLTYPE What kind of air-conditioning equipment do you have?

1 = A central system

2 = Individual units in the window or walls

3 = Both central and individual units

9 = No Answer/Not Applicable

0-4

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

EQUIPM Type of heating equipment that provides the heat 

2 = Steam/hot water system with radiators 

3 = Central warm-air furnace with ducts 

4 = Heat pump 

5 = Built-in electric units installed in walls 

6 = Built-in floor/wall pipeless furnace 

7 = Built-in heater burning gas, oil, kerosene 

8 = Heating stove burning wood, coal, coke 

9 = Fireplace 

10 = Portable electric heaters 

11 = Portable kerosene heaters 

12 = Cooking stove used to heat and cook 

14 = Geothermal heat pump 

21 = Equipment not listed 

99 = No AnswerlNot Applicable 

EQUIPAGE How old is equipment identified in EQUIPM heat system? 

I = Less than 2 years old 

2 = 2 to 4 years old 

3 = 5 to 9 years old 

4 = 10 to 19 years old 

5 = 20 years or older 

96 = Don't know 

99 = No AnswerlNot Applicable 

FUELHEAT Main fuel used for heating home 

1 = Natural gas from underground pipes 

2 = Bottled gas (LPG or propane) 

3 = Fuel oil 

4 = Kerosene 

5 = Electricity 

7 = Wood 

8 = Solar 

9 = District steam 

10 = Coal 

99 = No AnswerlNot Applicable 

HEATOTH Main heating system also heat other apartments 

I =Yes 

O=No 

6 = Don't know 

9 = No AnswerlNot Applicable 

COOLTYPE What kind of air-conditioning equipment do you have? 

I = A central system 

2 = Individual units in the window or walls 

3 = Both central and individual units 

9 = No AnswerlNot Applicable 

0-4 
AGECENAC How old is your household's central AC equipment?

1 = Less than 2 years old

2 = 2 to 4 years old

3 = 5 to 9 years old

4 = 10 to 19 years old

5 = 20 years or older

96 = Don't know

99 = No Answer/Not Applicable

Householder Characteristics Variables

YEARS3 How many are adults 65 or older?

0-15 = Number of adults 65 or older

YEARS4 How many are adults 75 or older?

0-15 = Number of adults 75 or older

POOR100 Below 100 percent of poverty

1 = Poor 100%

0 = Nonpoor

NHSLDMEM How many people normally live in this household?

1-15 = Number that live in household

Energy Use Variables

BTUNGSPH Natural Gas Space Heat Use (Estimated)

BTULPSPH LPG Space Heat Use (Estimated)

BTUFOSPH Fuel Oil Space Heat Use (Estimated)

BTUELCOL Electric AC Use (Estimated)

Average Energy Price Variables

DOLLAREL Estimated Cost Of Electricity In Dollars

DOLLARNG Estimated Cost Of Natural Gas In Dollars

DOLLARLP Estimated Cost Of LPG In Dollars

DOLLARFO Estimated Cost Of Fuel Oil In Dollars

KWH Kilowatt Hours Of Electricity Used

BTUNG Natural Gas Annual Use In Thousands of BTU

BTUFO Fuel Oil Annual Use In Thousands of BTU

BTULP LPG Annual Use In Thousands of BTU

AvgELPrice* Average Electricity Price ($ / kWh)

= DOLLAREL / KWH

0-5

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

AGECENAC How old is your household's central AC equipment? 

1 = Less than 2 years old 

2 = 2 to 4 years old 

3 = 5 to 9 years old 

4 = 10 to 19 years old 

5 = 20 years or older 

96 = Don't know 

99 = No AnswerlNot Applicable 

Householder Characteristics Variables 

YEARS3 How many are adults 65 or older? 

0-15 = Number of adults 65 or older 

YEARS4 How many are adults 75 or older? 

0-15 = Number of adults 75 or older 

POOR100 Below 100 percent of poverty 

1 = Poor 100% 

o = Nonpoor 

NHSLDMEM How many people normally live in this household? 

1-15 = Number that live in household 

Energy Use Variables 

BTUNGSPH Natural Gas Space Heat Use (Estimated) 

BTULPSPH LPG Space Heat Use (Estimated) 

BTUFOSPH Fuel Oil Space Heat Use (Estimated) 

BTUELCOL Electric AC Use (Estimated) 

Average Energy Price Variables 

DOLLAREL Estimated Cost Of Electricity In Dollars 

DOLLARNG Estimated Cost Of Natural Gas In Dollars 

DOLLARLP Estimated Cost Of LPG In Dollars 

DOLLARFO Estimated Cost Of Fuel Oil In Dollars 

KWH Kilowatt Hours Of Electricity Used 

BTUNG Natural Gas Annual Use In Thousands of BTU 

BTUFO Fuel Oil Annual Use In Thousands of BTU 

BTULP LPG Annual Use In Thousands of BTU 

AvgELPrice* Average Electricity Price ($ / kWh) 

= DOLLAREL / KWH 

0-5 
AvgNGPrice* Average Natural Gas Price ($ / kBtu)

= DOLLARNG / BTUNG

AvgLGPrice* Average LPG Price ($ / kBtu)

= DOLLARLP / BTULP

AvgFOPrice* Average Fuel Oil Price ($ / kBtu)

= DOLLARFO / BTUFO

* Variables created by DOE from combining RECS 2001 variables.

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

AvgNGPrice* Average Natural Gas Price ($ / kBtu) 

= DOLLARNG / BTUNG 

A vgLPGPrice* Average LPG Price ($ / kBtu) 

= DOLLARLP / BTULP 

A vgFOPrice* Average Fuel Oil Price ($ / kBtu) 

= DOLLARFO / BTUFO .. * VarIables created by DOE from combmmg RECS 2001 varIables. 

0-6 
REFERENCES

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Information Administration. Residential Energy

Consumption Survey: Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 2001. 2001. (Last

accessed May 18, 2005.) <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/rees2001/publicuse2001.html>

 EE-RM/STD-01-350 COMMENT 164

REFERENCES 

1. U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Information Administration. Residential Energy 

Consumption Survey: Household Energy Consumption and Expenditures 2001. 2001. (Last 

accessed May 18, 2005.) <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/recs2001/publicuse2001.html> 

0-7